I've
repeatedly seen software from eXact Advertising installed through security holes,
in poorly-disclosed bundles, or otherwise without meaningful (or any) notice
and consent. What kind of advertisers would support a company that gets on users'
PCs in these ways? I was surprised to find scores of well-known firms promoted
by eXact -- including Apple, Chase, Circuit City, Dell, Expedia, Netflix, and
Vonage. Cross-referencing eXact's partner list with TRUSTe's member list, I
found 85 matches.
My full article gives screenshots of eXact's ads, along with information about
the triggers that cause eXact to display certain ads. I also discuss how eXact
manages to promote some merchants and to receive payments from such merchants
without those merchants having specific knowledge of what is occurring, nor
giving their explicit consent.
I've
repeatedly seen software from eXact Advertising installed through security holes,
in poorly-disclosed bundles, or otherwise without meaningful (or any) notice
and consent. What kind of advertisers would support a company that gets on users'
PCs in these ways? I was surprised to find scores of well-known firms promoted
by eXact -- including Apple, Chase, Circuit City, Dell, Expedia, Netflix, and
Vonage. Cross-referencing eXact's partner list with TRUSTe's member list, I
found 85 matches.